Flower Arranging Device For A Vase

ABSTRACT

A flower arranging device includes a plurality of first segment and a plurality of second segments defining an arc shape. Adjacent first segments are spaced apart by second segments. The flower arranging device is foldable from a flat condition to a use condition for insertion into a vase.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the display of flowers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a flower arranging device that can be used for the display of flowers within a vase or the like.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Various structures are known for the display of cut flowers. In perhaps the most common manner, cut flowers and other related plants are may be displayed with a vase. In most cases, the cut flowers and other related plants are placed in the vase and an ability to arrange the cut flowers is limited by the size of the vase opening and general skill of the person using the vase. To a limited extent, it is known to a vase covering grid for the holding of floral arrangements. Such a known floral grid generally includes a circular cardboard or plastic disc approximately the size of the top surface of a vase and having a plurality of circular or square apertures. The grid is generally may be attached to the vase by an adhesive.

While known devices for arranging flowers within a vase may generally serve their intended purposes, all are associated with disadvantages. As such, a need for continued improvement in the art remains.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

It is a general object of the present teachings to provide a flower arranging device that may be folded from a flat condition to a use condition.

In accordance with another general object, the present teachings provide a flower arranging device for a vase or the like that does not need to be secured to the vase and may be used in vases of various sizes.

In accordance with one particular aspect, the present teachings provides a flower arranging device including a plurality of first segment and a plurality of second segments defining an arc shape. Adjacent first segments are spaced apart by second segments. The flower arranging device is foldable from a flat condition to a use condition for insertion into a vase.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flower arranging device for a vase constructed in accordance with the present teachings, the flower arranging device shown in a first orientation or use orientation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the flower arranging device for a vase of FIG. 1 , the flower arranging device shown in a second orientation or flat orientation prior to being folded for use, the flat orientation for shipping or retail sale.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the flower arranging device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a top view of the flower arranging device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the flower arranging device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a left side view of the flower arranging device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the flower arranging device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 8 is a perspective front view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating another flower arranging device for a vase in accordance with the present teachings in a flat orientation for shipping or retail sale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that the example embodiment should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described herein in detail.

With initial reference to FIGS. 1-7 a flower arranging device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is illustrated and generally identified at reference character 10. The flower arranging device 10 is shown in FIG. 1 in a first orientation or use orientation ready for insertion into a vase and receipt of cut flowers, for example. FIGS. 2-6 illustrate flower arranging device 10 in second orientation or flat orientation prior to being folded for use, the flat orientation being particularly useful for shipping or retail sale. The flower arranging device 10 may be stamped or otherwise cut from cardboard or other suitable material.

In the embodiment illustrated, the flower arranging device 10 is shown to include a repeating pattern of first segments 12 spaced apart and connected by second segments 14. In the second or flat orientation, the pattern may define an arc shaped device that extends 180 degrees or approximately 180 degrees. It will be understood, however, that the flower arranging device may extend a greater or lesser amount of degrees within the scope of the present teachings. Preferably, the flower arranging device extends through at least 135 degrees and 225 degrees.

The flower arranging device 10 includes at least 2 first segments 12 and at least 2 second segments 14. More preferably, the flower arranging device 10 includes at least 3 first segments 12 and at least 3 second segments 14. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the flower arranging device 10 includes 3 first segments 12 and 3 second segments 14. It will be understood that a greater or lesser number of first segments 12 and second segments 14 may be included within the scope of the present teaching. The first segments 12 are identical to one other. The second segments 14 are identical to one another but distinct from the first segment 12.

At one end of the arc shape, the flower arranging device 10 may include a first segment 12. At the opposite end of the arc shape, the flower arranging device 10 may include a second segment.

As illustrated, each first segment 12 may include first and second portions 12A and 12B that are mirror images of one another about a first radially extending central fold line 12C. Additionally, each first segment 12 may define a pair of hooks 12D for engaging a rim of a vase. Each second segment 14 may similarly include first and second portions 14A and 14B that are mirror images of each other about a second radially extending fold line 14C. Adjacent first and second segments 12 and 14 are connected by further fold lines 16. The further fold lines 16 between adjacent first and second segments 12 and 14 collectively define a first plurality of fold lines. The fold lines 12C of the first segments 12 and the fold lines 14C of the second segments 14 collectively define a second plurality of fold lines. The arc shape of the flower arranging device 10 has an imaginary center of curvature and the fold lines 12C, 14C and 16 radially extending through the imaginary center of curvature.

In the second orientation of the flower arranging device 10 shown in FIGS. 2-6 , the flower arranging device 10 is planar in shape. The flower arranging device 10 may be transitioned to the first orientation or use orientation of FIG. 1 by folding each of the first and second segments 12 and 14 about the respective fold line 12C and 14C such that the first segment 12 at one end of the flower arranging device 10 is brought into contact with the second segment 14 at the second end of the flower arranging device 10. In the use orientation, the flower arranging device 10 has a closed shape with a continuous perimeter. The first and second segments 12 and 14 may be each folded about their respective fold lines 12C and 14C to define angles between the respective first and second portions 12A and 12B, 14A and 14B. Similarly, the flower arranging device 10 may be folded at the further fold lines 16 between the adjacent first and second segments 12 and 14 to define angles therebetween. In the use position, the fold lines 12C and 14C of the first and second segments 12 and 14, respectively, are positioned radially inward relative to the fold lines 16 between adjacent first and second segments 12 and 14. The ends of the arc-shaped flower arranging device 10 may be adhesively secured to one another or attached to one another in any manner well known in the art.

Turning to FIG. 8 , another flower arranging device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is illustrated and generally identified at reference character 100. Given the similarities between the flower arranging device 100 and flower arranging device 10, like reference characters have been used throughout the drawings. The flower arranging device 100 of FIG. 8 shows alternative attachment of the ends of the arc-shaped flower arranging device 100 with one end defining a hook 102 adapted to pass through a slot 104 in the opposite end.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A flower arranging device comprising: a plurality of first segment and a plurality of second segments defining an arc shape in a flat orientation, adjacent first segments spaced apart by second segments, wherein the flower arranging device is foldable from the flat orientation to a use orientation closed in a radial direction for insertion into a vase.
 2. The flower arranging device of claim 1, wherein the flower arranging device extends through an arc of 135 degrees to 225 degrees in the flat orientation.
 3. The flower arranging device of claim 1, wherein each first segment includes first and second portions that are mirror images of one another about a first radially extending, central fold line in the flat orientation.
 4. The flower arranging device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of hooks for engaging a rim of a vase.
 5. The flower arranging device of claim 1, wherein each first segment defines a pair of hooks for engaging a rim of a vase.
 6. The flower arranging device of claim 1, wherein each second segment includes first and second portions that are mirror images of each other about a second radially extending fold line.
 7. The flower arranging device of claim 1, wherein the ends of the arc shape are adhesively secured to one another.
 8. The flower arranging device of claim 1, wherein a first end of the arc shape defines at least one slot and a second end of the arc shape defines a tab for engaging the at least one slot defined by the first end.
 9. The flower arranging device of claim 1, wherein the arc shape has an imaginary center of curvature and the flower arranging device defines a plurality of fold lines radially extending through the imaginary center of curvature.
 10. The flower arranging device of claim 9, wherein the plurality of fold lines includes a plurality of first fold lines between adjacent first segments and second segments.
 11. The flower arranging device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of fold lines includes a plurality of second fold lines and further wherein each of the first and second segments includes first and second portions that are mirror images of one another about one of the second fold lines.
 12. The flower arranging device of claim 1, wherein each of the first segments includes a first radially extending fold line, each of the second segments includes a second radially extending fold line, and further comprising further fold lines between adjacent first and second segments.
 13. The flower arranging device of claim 12, wherein in the use position, the first and second fold lines of the first and second segments, respectively, are positioned radially inward relative to the further fold lines between adjacent first and second segments. 